Langtang Gosainkunda

Langtang Valley and  Gosaikunda — 14days

Trekking in the spectacular Langtang Valley is the closest you could get to the massive snow capped mountains from Kathmandu valley. The Langtang Valley is located only 19 miles north of Kathmandu, close to the border of Tibet. The valley is dominated by Langtang Lirung [7246m], the highest peak in the area. This is a superb introduction to trekking iin Nepal among some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole country. This Langtang trek towards the base of Langtang Himal, north of Kathmandu valley, offers the shortest approach to snowy mountains from Kathmandu.

The Langtang trek starts from Syabru Besi after a 9 hrs drive from Kathmandu. Following a trail upstream Bhote Kosi river through ethnic Tamang villages, lush green forests and the wide spread Kyangin valley surrounded by snowy peaks from all fours sides, takes you up to Kyangin at 3800 meter, where you get an opportunity to ascend Kyangjin Ri [4350m.], from where the 360 degree mountain views are truly panoramic.

After an ascent of Kyangjin Ri, we retrace our route back down the valley to Syabru Besi and then drive back to Kathmandu. Due to gradual ascent along the river valley this Langtang trek is not considered strenuous, but yet, it remains challenging as it reaches an altitude of 3800 meter at Kyangjin. The Langtang trek can be done any time of the year except during monsoons [July & August]

Itinerary
Langtang valley and holy lake Gosaikunda.14days

Trekking in the spectacular Langtang Valley is the closest you could get to the massive snow capped mountains from Kathmandu valley. The Langtang Valley is located only 19 miles north of Kathmandu, close to the border of Tibet. The valley is dominated by Langtang Lirung [7246m], the highest peak in the area. This is a superb introduction to trekking iin Nepal among some of the most beautiful scenery in the whole country. This Langtang trek towards the base of Langtang Himal, north of Kathmandu valley, offers the shortest approach to snowy mountains from Kathmandu.

The Langtang trek starts from Syabru Besi after a 9 hrs drive from Kathmandu. Following a trail upstream Bhote Kosi river through ethnic Tamang villages, lush green forests and the wide spread Kyangin valley surrounded by snowy peaks from all fours sides, takes you up to Kyangin at 3800 meter, where you get an opportunity to ascend Kyangjin Ri [4350m.], from where the 360 degree mountain views are truly panoramic.

After an ascent of Kyangjin Ri, we retrace our route back down the valley to Syabru Besi and then drive back to Kathmandu. Due to gradual ascent along the river valley this Langtang trek is not considered strenuous, but yet, it remains challenging as it reaches an altitude of 3800 meter at Kyangjin. The Langtang trek can be done any time of the year except during monsoons [July & August]

Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu and transfer to hotel.
We will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.Rest of day at leisure. Please let us know your flight details in advance.

Day 02: Kathmandu.
We take a tour of some of the palaces, temples and historic sites of the city where Buddhism and Hinduism blend uniquely in a salad-bowl of cultures. Kathmandu is a busy city but it still presents some wonderful historic architecture and has many atmospheric temples, squares, palaces and courtyards. There’s also a vibrant nightlife, including restaurants and bars, although most places close relatively early.

Day 03: Drive from Kathmandu to Syabru Besi takes about nine hours.
You head north out of Kathmandu driving through scenic foothills and ridgeline vistas to Syabru Besi, passing through Dhunche. While passing along the road at the bank of Trishuli River you catch a glimpse of Ganesh Himal, terraces and green hills. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 04: Trek from Syabru Besi (1600m.) to Lama Hotel (2470m.)
It takes about five and half hours. The first part of the trail crosses through the Bhote Koshi and follows the Langtang Khola. The trail then gradually ascends up to Bamboo passing through the landslide area. Afterwards, you trek gently down to Rimche (2400m.) through Bamboo (1960m.) which lies at the bank of Langtang Khola. En-route you can see red pandas, monkeys and bears if you are lucky. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 05: Trek from Lama Hotel to Langtang village (3430m.) via Ghore Tabela takes about six hours.
As you continue climbing there are occasional glimpses of Langtang Lirung between the trees. At Ghora Tabela [3000m], the trail emerges from the forest. While walking here, you can glimpses of white monkeys and local birds. The trail continues to climb gently and the valley widens, passing a few temporary settlements used by herders who bring their livestock to graze in the high pastures during the summer months. There is a monastery you can visit shortly before arriving to the village of Langtang, the headquarters of the Langtang National Park. The houses of Langtang and its neighboring villages are of the flat-roofed Tibetan style, surrounded by stone walls enclosing fields of buckwheat, potatoes, wheat, turnips and barley. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 06: Trek from Langtang Village to Kyangjin (3870m.)
It takes about three hours. The trail climbs gradually through small villages and yak pastures as the valley opens out further and the views become more extensive. After crossing several small streams and moraines, the trail reaches the settlement at Kyangjin. Here there is a small monastery and a government-operated cheese factory. You arrive at Kyangjin by lunch time allowing time to acclimatize and explore the area. At this point, you can enjoy the panoramic views of Dorje Larpa (6990m.), Langtang Ri (6370m.), Langtang Lirung (7245m.) and so on. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 07: Rest day at Kyangjin Gompa and excursion in and around the area.
You can visit the monastery and cheese factory, walk up the moraine to see the spectacular ice faces and tumbling glaciers of Langtang Lirung or ascend Kyangjin Ri [4350m], directly behind the village, for a breath-taking panorama of the Langtang peaks. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 08: Trek from Kyangjin Gompa to Lama Hotel
It takes about six hours.From Kyangjin you retrace your route, following the Langtang Khola to Langtang village and on to Ghora Tabela. After lunch you continue the steep descent to Lama Hotel. Stay overnight at lodge

Day 09: Trek from Lama Hotel (2470m.) to Thulo Syabru (2260m.)
It takes about five hours.The beginning of the trail is a gentle descent to Landslide and then goes steeply up to Thulo Syabru. En-route you can see red pandas, monkeys and various bird species. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 10: Trek from Thulo Syabru to Sing Gompa or Chandan Bari (3330m.)
It takes about five hours. The trail from Thulo Syabru to Foprang Danda (3200m.) follows a steeply ascending path passing through Dursagang (2660m.) and offers views of Langtang Himal, Ganesh Himal, Tibetan Mountains and oak, Hemlock and fir forests. The path then gently ascends for some distance before following a flat level to Sing Gompa. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 11: Trek from Sing Gompa to Gosaikunda (4460m.) via Lauribinayak La (3920m.)
It takes about five and half hours. You follow a rugged trail with dramatic views of the Himal Chuli (7893m.,) Manaslu (8156m,) and Ganesh Himal (7406m). You pass a few huts in the high pastures of Laurebina, cross a small ridge and have your first views of the holy lakes. There are about a dozen lakes in the Gosainkunda Basin, the main three being Saraswatikund, Bharab Kunda and Gosainkunda. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 12: Trek from Gosainkunda to Lauribinayak Pass (4610m.) to Ghopte (3430m.).
The trail leaves Gosainkund and climbs through rugged country, past four more small lakes to the Laurebina La [4610m], the highest point of this trek. You then descend steeply to camp near Gopte. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 13: Trek from Ghopte to Kutumsang (2446m.)
It takes about five hours. Until Tharepati, the trail ascends through forest of rhododendron, oak and bamboo with other natural vegetation. From Tharepati, the trail gradually descends through pine and rhododendron forest with good views down into the Helambu valley and across to Jugal Himal and Numbur in the Solu Khumbu. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 14: Trek from Kutumsang to Chisopani takes about six hours.
From Kutumsang, you climb a pass at 2620m, before descending to the Tamang village of Gul Bhanjyang. Beyond Gul Bhanjyang, your trek ascends to a ridge with splendid views, stretching from the Annapurnas and Manaslu in the west to Numbur in the east. You then descend to Pati Bhanjyang, a large Tamang village with a few shops and a police check post. From here it is almost a two hour climb to Chisopani. Stay overnight at lodge.

Day 15: Trek from Chisopani to Sundarijal
It takes about three hours and drive from Sundarijal to Kathmandu takes about one hour. Leaving Chisopani, the trail passes through meadows and cultivated fields and then climbs through oak and rhododendron forest to Burlang Bhanjyang. From here there are magnificent views, from Annapurna in the west to Ganesh Himal and Numbur in the east. This ridge marks the northern rim of the Kathmandu valley. You now begin descending steeply through dense forest of oak, pine and rhododendron to cross a dam and then follow a large water pipe which supplies much of the water for Kathmandu. Soon you are down into Sundarijal where you pick up your transport back to Kathmandu.

Day16: Drive from Sundarijal to Kathmandu
Morning we’ll drive back through the scenic countryside and en route will stop for lunch and breakfast. It takes 5 hrs to back to Kathmandu and optional homestay in Nagarkot with trailfinders family.

Day 17: Leisure at Kathmandu

Day 18: Transfer from hotel to airport, fly towards your destiny.